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10 Reasons to Visit this Weekend

It’s nearly time for this year’s Spike Island Open! We’ve been busy for the last few weeks getting the building ready, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors when we open our doors tomorrow evening.

In case you need any more encouragement to come along, here are ten highlights of the weekend (in no particular order):

Artists’ studios: Over 80 artists open their working spaces to the public to share their newest work. Find out more about them before you come by taking a look at their new profiles.

Artists’ special projects: Some of the artists based here are presenting special projects around the building, including Rod Maclachlan’s installation like being and Colin Higginson’s performance I would not fail in pleasing you.

Online screening space: See pieces by artists working with the moving image on our new Vimeo channel. Visit the Associates Space to view them over the weekend, or visit our website from tomorrow.

Invited guests: Studio holders and Spike Associates have invited peer artist-run groups to present their work. These include Birmingham’s Lombard Method, Plymouth’s Library of Independent Exchange and performance group NEETNAC.

Spike Design goodies: The artists in the building aren’t the only ones making interesting and beautiful work. Members of Spike Design offer cards, books and soft furnishings for sale from their information point.

Hands-on activities: If you’re inspired to give it a go yourself, come along to one of the free workshops happening each day: bookbinding on Saturday, printmaking on Sunday and drawing on Monday.

Happenstance interactive projects: Visitors can take part in two interactive installations initiated by our current creative technology residents in the resource area: ‘magic’ postcards reveal a story inWish You Were Here, whileMy Spike Islandinvites guests to send in photos of their favourite spots in the building.

Speakers’ Corner: Members of the Spike Island community and invited guests give ultra-short presentations about their work and invite questions and conversation afterwards.

Pop-up cafés: If all the above has left you peckish or parched, we’ve got cafés dotted around the building for a bit of respite. Spike Café is firing up their grill for tasty barbeque, Le Bonne Crêpe has sweet and savoury pancakes, and Mother’s Brew Bar has fresh coffee and baked goods.

Spike Island

Spike Island is an international centre for the
development of contemporary art and design.
A vibrant hub for production, presentation
and debate, it invites audiences to engage
directly with creative practices through
participation and discussion.